After 2 or 3 weeks of English studies, students at our Los Angeles teen camp (held at beautiful Loyola Marymount University) have the option of taking our one-week California Coastal Trip, which gives students the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful cities and beaches in California. What’s on the itinerary for 2017? Check it out!

LMU Junior Program’s California Coastal Trip, 2017

Day 1 (July 15, 2017): From LA to SF!

Students begin their day in beautiful LA and end in San Francisco: this trip is already off to a great start! Students meet in the morning at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and then head north to SF. The San Francisco adventure begins by exploring iconic Union Square.

San Francisco’s bustling Union Square is an excellent place for shopping and people watching.

Day 2 (July 16, 2017): The Best of SF

Students enjoy the “Best of San Francisco” tour, which includes visits to Downtown, Twin Peaks, Lombard Street, Presidio Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge before stopping at Fisherman’s Wharf. After exploring Fisherman’s Wharf, students take a walking tour of beautiful Chinatown for shopping, dinner, and free time.

The smell of the sea air and excitement of city life come together at beautiful Fisherman’s Wharf.

Chinatown is rich in history, culture . . . and incredible food!

Day 3 (July 17, 2017): Bay Cruise + Exploring SF

It’s time to see San Francisco from a different perspective: the water! Students embark on a Bay Cruise and have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and see the SF skyline from the San Francisco Bay.

Many travel over the Golden Gate . . . but how many have traveled UNDER it???

That afternoon, students have the option of the following:

Renting bicycles and riding along the San Francisco Bay

Shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and the Galleria

Exploring Haight-Ashbury for a trip back to the 60s

Taking a ride in one of SF’s iconic cable cars

Don’t leave SF without taking a ride in one of these historic cable cars!

Students then meet up again at the Hard Rock Cafe for a final dinner in San Francisco. Although it’s sad to say goodbye to this amazing city, the rest of California awaits!

Day 4 (July 18. 2017): Monterey to Carmel to Santa Barbara!

It’s time to see another stunning coastal city of California: Monterey! Students leave for this beautiful town in the morning and spend several hours exploring the MontereyPier, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the California souvenir shop.

Many tourists visit locations such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, but few are lucky enough to explore cities like Monterey, which is a beloved gem to Californians.

After having lunch in adorable Carmel, students head to Santa Barbara and spend the evening exploring its charming Downtown.

Day 5 (July 19, 2017): Santa Barbara Beaches and Fun

After waking up in gorgeous Santa Barbara, students relax on its sunny and sandy beaches and have the choice of the following:

Enjoying a quiet beach day

Learning how to surf

Renting bikes or roller-blades

The day of the fun in the sun ends with an evening strolling through beautiful Downtown Santa Barbara to see why this city is called “The American Riviera.”

Day 6 (July 20, 2017): Santa Barbara Morning; LA Evening

Beach fun continues on the last day of the trip! Students head back to the Santa Barbara beach in the morning and then go shopping at the outstanding Camarillo outlets: the deals on designer clothing are crazy!

While heading back to Los Angeles, the trip makes two stops at beautiful, must-see locations in California: star-studded Malibu Beach and breathtaking Santa Monica. The day ends back in Los Angeles for some relaxation before heading home.

Day 7 (July 21, 2017): Final Goodbyes/See You Next Year!

Students say goodbye to the friends they’ve made on this trip and then head back to their home countries with souvenirs, photos, memories to last a lifetime . . . and the ability to speak English confidently!

Would you like more information on CISL’s Junior Programs or the California Coastal Tour? Check out these resources:

This summer, students from around the world came together for an incredible experience: living and studying English on the beautiful campus of Georgetown University. Students lived in the dorms of the historic campus, studied English Monday through Friday, and spent the afternoons and weekends exploring charming Georgetown and surrounding areas, such as Washington, D.C. What fun!

Several students offered their opinion of the highlights from the trip. Basak Ozcan, from Turkey, said the following:

“Our daily program was amazing, also we had a lot of options to spend our free time to enjoy the campus. Froyo, the movie theatre, Yale bookstore, and coffee shops were very close to the campus (which is important for coffee addicts like me). Everybody was so sincere and helpful. We all learned [about] new cultures through our friendships!”

Thanks, Basak! Coffee culture is indeed a huge part of American culture: if you’re a coffee addict, check out our article on Cafes in S.F to learn a little about some of the latest coffee trends.

Our Activities Coordinator put together a wonderful slideshow of photos from this summer. Check it out! In addition, be sure to check out our CISL video about the Junior Program at Georgetown.

Student Yuto Omachi, from Japan, sums up the experience perfectly: “Everything was awesome.” What more could we ask from our CISL Junior Program students?

Are you coming to California to study English at one of our camps for teens, such as our program at UC Berkeley? If so, you’ll soon need to start preparing for your trip by doing some packing! (And maybe a little shopping, which we all know is the best “homework!”) Our packing guide includes the documents, clothes, and supplies you need for your time in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What to Pack for CISL’s Berkeley Juniors Program

Here are some of the things that CISL recommends that you bring with you on your trip.

Paperwork and documents

Make sure that you have the following:

Valid passport (and visa, if needed)

A photocopy of the passport and visa

Pocket money in American dollars, or a pre-loaded debit card or check card or Visa Card

Copy of travel insurance details

We also recommend emailing photos of these documents to yourself (so you have a digital copy that you can access from anywhere).

Contact lenses and contact solution and glasses (for those who need them)

School related supplies

For class, you will need:

Class supplies: notebook, pencils, an eraser, pens

Pocket bilingual dictionary

Miscellaneous items

You will probably also want to bring the following:

Adapter for U.S. electrical outlets. The voltage in the United States is 120V/60Hz

Camera (unless you exclusively use the one on your smartphone)

If you’ve been to CISL’s Junior Program in Berkeley, what do you recommend that we add to this list? Let us know on the CISL JuniorsFacebook page. Make sure to tag CISL in your photos on FB and Instagram so we can see you out and about in SF, and click here to see some of the activities our students participate in during their stay.Click here for more information on CISL’s Junior Program at UC Berkeley.

Begin your year with the most exciting experience: CISL’s Winter Jr. Program in San Diego! Converse International School of Languages offers an exciting winter program for teens who would like to improve their English and enjoy life in beautiful California.

Three words come to mind when describing CISL’s Winter Program: adventurous, fun, and action-packed! CISL organizes numerous after-school activities for its Junior Program students. Take a look at an example of a week in the life of a CISL Winter Junior Program student and see the fun that’s planned for you outside of the classroom.

What to Expect as a CISL Winter Jr. Program Student in San Diego

Arriving/getting settled

CISL welcomes its students on Monday and provides an orientation to the school and a tour of Downtown San Diego and Seaport Village. Enjoy the stunning architecture of Downtown SD as you walk down Broadway Street, which ends at the beautiful San Diego Bay. Watch the boats on the Bay, check out the view of CoronadoIsland, stroll through the shops in Seaport Village, and grab a snack at one of the Village’s cute shops.

Beautiful Downtown San Diego!

By the end of your first day, you will have an excellent overview of how CISL works, and you will also have an understanding of what there is to see and do in Downtown San Diego. You will also have met many new friends and CISL staff members!

Weekday afternoons

Classes are from 9 am to 12:40 pm Monday through Friday. After class, CISL organizes an activity every day after school. Students can expect anything from ice skating to whale watching!

Here are some of the many activities that are on the typical CISL Activities Calendar:

Riding the ferry to Coronado Island

Enjoy the beautiful views of the San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, and Coronado! Click here for some more information on past Coronado Ferry trips.

The beautiful Coronado Bridge, as seen from the water.

Sightseeing in beautiful Balboa Park

Did you know the Balboa Park is the largest park west of the Mississippi River? And that it has museums, restaurants, parks, theaters, and even a dog park? There’s always some exciting happening! Click here for our Insider’s Guide to Balboa Park.

Photo courtesy of Balboa Park.

Visiting the World Famous San Diego Zoo

San Diego’s Zoo is one of the most beautiful places to learn about the animals, birds, and insects of the world (and its animal and nature shows are incredible)! Click here to learn more about trips to the Zoo.

CISL students at The Zoo.

Hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines is one of the most famous hiking destinations in San Diego. It is easy to see why: its beautiful trails overlook the Pacific Ocean! Learn more about Torrey Pines by clicking here.

The view of beautiful Torrey Pines and the Pacific Ocean.

Ice Skating!

Ice skating in San Diego? It might sound strange, but during the holidays, San Diegans love to ice skate! The only difference? When you ice skate in San Diego, you do it on the beach! The Hotel del Coronado has a beautiful ice skating rink, which promises a memorable skating experience.

Ice skating at the Hotel Del Coronado.

Shopping at the San Ysidro Outlets or Fashion Valley

Banana Republic, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Oakley, Vans . . . you name it, and you can find it (cheap!) at the outlets! Fashion Valley, which is located just a few miles from CISL, is exactly what you’d expect: shopping heaven! Click here for our Shopping Guide to SD.

Touring historic Old Town San Diego

Are you in the mood for delicious Mexican food? Travel back in time when you visit Old Town, and make sure to grab some tacos at one of their many Mexican restaurants. YUM.

Visiting Ocean Beach and the farmer’s market

Ocean Beach is a neighborhood with a very relaxed vibe: enjoy it (and its beautiful beaches and pier) during a trip to their farmer’s market. Make sure to also check out the vendors who sell handmade items. The market is a great place to find some souvenirs.

Sunset over the OB pier.

Organized sports in the park

CISL encourages its students to stay active while studying in San Diego, which is why we organize sporting events. Join in on the fun! Click here for our Guide to Exercise for CISL Students.

CISL students playing soccer! We won this match!

Exploring the La Jolla Cove and Downtown La Jolla

La Jolla’s stunning cove and green waters are a must-see for anyone visiting San Diego, and its charming shops in La Jolla are fun to browse!

Beautiful La Jolla.

Riding the roller coasters at Belmont Park/Enjoying Mission Beach

Beaches and roller coasters? A perfect combo! Mission Beach is always a great place to spend the day, but it’s even more fun thanks to Belmont Park, whose roller coasters provide an excellent view of the beach and Mission Bay. Make sure to grab some cotton candy while you’re at Belmont!

Mission Beach’s Belmont Park.

Touring the USS Midway

Not only does the USS Midway allow you to access an old Navy ship, but it also provides great views of the San Diego Bay and Downtown. Once you’re on the top deck of the ship, make sure to see the collection of old airplanes and helicopters.

Whale Watching

January is whale watching season in San Diego, and the tours do not disappoint: as the whales travel down to Baja, Mexico, they often jump out of the water and “perform.” It’s incredible to see! Dolphins are also common sites on this fascinating tour. Click here for some info on whale watching in SD!

CISL students whale watching.

Wow!

Weekends

Saturdays are for day-long excursions! Spend the day on the beach in Coronado, visit the Zoo, or hang out in Mission Beach (maybe play some volleyball?) on Saturday.

After a long week of activities and school, Sundays are for relaxing with your host family. Many host families enjoy barbecues or other family activities during this day, while others love showing students some of the sights in San Diego.

Have you ever wondered what winter is like in California? The CISL Junior Program in San Francisco offers students the chance to experience a month in one of California’s most iconic cities, and we pack the student schedule with a tremendous amount of activities! The following list describes a typical week for students during the Winter 2016 program. It provides an idea of the activities our students experience, and how busy your time at CISL will be!

CISL Jr. Program Activities for Winter 2016

After meeting everyone at a CISL-organized pizza dinner on Sunday night, you and your new friends meet up again on Monday to go to your first day of class together. The program begins with simple placement testing in the morning, and then students spend the afternoon out and about, usually visiting Chinatown and touring a fortune cookie factory before heading to dinner. Not a bad first day of school! (Click here to learn more about Chinatown and its incredible history.)

Photo courtesy of SFCMA.

On Tuesday, official classes begin. Thanks to the placement test, you will be in a classroom with students of the same level, and because CISL classes are so small (no more than eight students), you quickly become close with your classmates and teacher. The socializing continues after school, when you all go shopping at Westfield Mall, ride bicycles across the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Ferry across the San Francisco Bay to Sausalito, visit the Oakland Museum of California, enjoy live music and food trucks at Off the Grid, or visit the incredible Yerba Buena Center to see artwork by some of the coolest young artists in SF. That’s a lot of touring and socializing in just five days!

We’re hungry!

The most beautiful way to see the Bay!

Other possible weekday activities include the following:

Going rock climbing

Visiting the Exploratorium

Taking a walking tour of the Haight Ashbury neighborhood

Playing laser tag

Touring Berkeley and shopping on Telegraph Avenue

Making and flying kites in Crissy Field

Visiting the California Academy of Sciences

Exploring Golden Gate Park

Taking a walking tour of Lombard Street and Russian Hill

CISL is proud to offer school-organized activities every day of the week, so you can always expect something fun and exciting to do after school finishes each day.

Weekend Fun

To show students some of the incredible sites and cities in California, CISL organizes full-day excursions on Saturday and half-day excursions on Sunday every weekend. You and your friends might take a full-day excursion to places like Monterey, where you visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the charming town of Carmel, and beautiful Point Lobos State Park. Or perhaps this weekend includes a trip to Santa Cruz, where you explore the Beach Boardwalk and the famous Mystery Spot. Are you an adventure-seeker? Then you will be excited for the weekend when CISL visits Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Amusement Park!

Monterey’s sea life and wildlife collections are simply beautiful.

Strange things happen at the Mystery Spot!

Sundays consist of a half-day trip, like going ice skating in beautiful Union Square and then having dinner out in San Francisco, visitingAlcatraz, exploring Fishermen’s Wharf, or seeing a Golden State Warriors basketballgame. At this point, it is hard to believe that you have only known your new friends for one week. It’s also difficult to imagine how much you have done and seen in just seven days!

For more information about the Winter Junior Programs at CISL, visit www.cisl.edu. We hope to see you in 2016!